Born in Intervale to Charles and Eva Merrill in 1926, Mrs. Saunders graduated from Kennett High School, Conway, in 1943. She married Robert Saunders of North Conway on May 20, 1945. They lived in Portsmouth, Stamford, Conn., Manchester, Chelmsford, Mass., Plant City, Fla., and Moultonborough before settling in North Conway in 2000.

Janet was an avid skier and was on the Cranmore Ski Patrol during the 1940s.

She loved golf and belonged to the N.H. Women's Golf Association for 48 years. She had been a member of Portsmouth, Manchester, Laconia, North Conway and Hales Location country clubs.

Janet and Bob loved listening and dancing to the big band music of the '40s and '50s. They attended many jazz festivals over the years and belonged to the Sarasota (Fla.) Jazz Club.

She was an accomplished bridge player. Another favorite hobby was reading, and her family can rarely remember her spending a day without a book by her side. She was especially proud of her 12 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Robert, of North Conway; her daughters, Joan McGuirk and her husband, Peter, of Plymouth, Mass., and Gail Honey of Stuart, Fla.; a son, Stephen Saunders, of Lakeland, Fla.; a sister, Kay Frechette, of Conway; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her son, Michael, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and her sister, Patty Frechette of Conway.

SERVICES: A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 28, at the First Church of Christ Congregational in North Conway, with the Rev. Gilman E. Healy, pastor, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the North Conway Public Library, 2719 Main St., North Conway, NH 03860, or the Visiting Nurses and Hospice of Carroll County, P.O. Box 432, North Conway, NH 03850. The Furber and White Funeral Home in North Conway is in charge of arrangements.

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